By Brianna Wolin

From the moment I got the itinerary for the summer, I knew that the day in Mississippi and Tennessee would be one I would never forget.

After a 2.5 hour ride from Birmingham, Billy spoke into the loudspeaker on the bus and said, “Etgar 36, welcome to Tupelo, Mississippi – the birthplace of the King of Rock and Roll.” Then Elvis tunes came through the speakers. I sat singing with my friends and could barely wait any longer for the day to begin.

We arrived at Elvis’ birth home and spirits were high – especially amongst music enthusiasts such as me and my seat buddy, Sam Forman. We walked around Elvis’ birth home and sat in his white painted swing on the porch, saw his childhood church and even an old outhouse. Of course, most of us hit the gift shop to TCB (in Elvis’ honor – “take care of business”).

After lunch we were back on the road for the hour and a half ride to Memphis and the ability to add the Tennessee sticker to our window map. I fell fast asleep until Billy came on the loudspeaker and welcomed us to Memphis. He then played all types of music that was made in, or inspired by, Memphis. I must admit that lip-syncing has become my new hobby on the bus. Our first stop was at the legendary Sun Studios, where we saw such original and incredible things. I am still marveling over what I saw. Elvis’ original social security card was there! I even got to stand in the exact spot where Elvis stood to record the music that has influenced the world today. Hearing the snippets of music by the different artists reminded me of the play I saw and loved in Chicago called “The Million Dollar Quartet.” If it is possible, my appreciation for music increased as the day went on. We then had some free time to go explore Beale Street. This street seemed to me to be the essence of Memphis—live music, interesting stores, and food. I loved it and got some fun things in a few eclectic stores.

Gibson guitar factory

Our next stop was at the Smithsonian Rock and Soul Museum, where I had an unexpected surprise. Billy took me inside and introduced me to his friend and our tour guide who was originally from my hometown of Chicago and a huge Blackhawks fan, so we got to talk about hockey and celebrate their championship season.

After watching a movie about the connection between rock music and the Civil Rights movement, we explored the rooms of clothes, artifacts, and jukeboxes using MP3 players to get the history. I took great interest in the small section on the counter culture – a part of history I really enjoy.

Etgar 36 2010 Staff

Yes the day continued. I had a nice time at dinner where we ate at a place called “Hueys.” It was so different because people have been able to cover the walls with graffiti over the years, and the ceiling was covered with toothpicks that were shot up there through straws.

To end this exciting, inspiring, informative, music-filled day, we went to Alfred’s Blues Club located right on Beale Street. We danced to a live band and even some of our fellow Etgar 36 friends were able to get up on stage and sing and play guitar with the band. The night was both fun and different for me as I have never been in the South, let alone a blues club!

Etgar teens make their Beale Street debut on vocals onstage at Alfred's Blues Club	Etgar teens make their Beale Street debut on guitar onstage at Alfred's Blues Club

Upon leaving Alfreds, Beale Street had transformed into a bustling, bright space with people and motorcycles lining the curbs and music pouring out onto the streets and filling the air. I felt very special to experience the transformation and stand in such a unique place with new friends, a packed day that spoke to me so strongly, and more of a trip of a lifetime ahead of me. Tomorrow we are off to Graceland, the Civil Rights Museum, and Little Rock. Today was exactly as I hoped it would be. With love from Memphis!